TALKING CIRCLES

"When someone listens to you well it makes you feel accepted, understood, important, valued and validated.

It gives you a voice to help find yourself again.

It reminds you that you are not invisible or alone."Dharma Jani

WHAT IS TalkingStickForum?

TalkingStickForum is a website and app that marries our modern day technology with the old fashioned telephone call.We provide a platform where people can connect and be supported by peers & an inspired leader around a specific topic.

We believe your VOICE matters.

Our Talking Circles provide real time support with peers. The leader guides and supports the conversations by helping to pass the Talking Stick, so you get a chance to share your story and listen and learn from others.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

First, join our TSF community by becoming a member.Next, decide if you want to be a Leader or a Talkie.

Talkies

Browse the different Groups & join the ones of interest. Note that some groups are private & you will need permission from the group leader. Go to Group Details to find their scheduled calls & sign up, and/ or immediately start sharing in the Sharing Circles. Invite your friends to TSF.

Leaders

Go to the GROUPS page and find ADD GROUP. Start designing your supportive community page with your message, pictures, quotes, blogs, podcasts, and audios. Schedule your Group Phone Calls aka Talking Circles. These circles allow up to 100 people on the line with room for about 10-12 people to talk. Invite your friends to join you.

Founder’s Message

My first husband, Phillip, suffered depression and took his own life in 2008. I have never been the same since. We did everything we could to help him, including expensive therapists and medication. The time I remember seeing him have hope was the time he ended up talking to two strangers for hours on the sidewalk simply because they all had one thing in common: depression. He just wanted to talk to other people experiencing the same feelings. He wanted to hear the words, “Me too.” He wanted to feel heard by someone who could understand his sadness by having experienced it themselves.

I have always felt that I could’ve done more.

TalkingStickForum(TSF) is my more. TSF enables people to connect with others in similar situations. There has been much research on the power of peer to peer support. People have been telling stories to each other since time immemorial, and the benefits are clear that sharing your story:

Helps others

Helps you find your voice

Reaffirms your values

Brings peace & hope

May TSF give you solace by providing a safe place to speak your story, listen to others, and by bringing you a sense of belonging and value.

Testimonials

I love Talking Stick because it's a place where I feel not so alone. The topics really resonate with me, like strategies to deal with anxiety or trauma or sugar addiction, and it's all done in a really safe, structured way so that at the end some of my worries are gone and they feel taken care of.

Mary

What I think is really great about Talking Stick is that no matter where I'm at or what I'm doing I can just tap in for that one hour and really be apart of a conversation with some like minded individuals. Maybe that whole day I've been driving in the car or working in solitude, so having that time to feel connected with others and also take away something meaningful from it is a really good thin.

Nicholas

I grew up with pain, anger, depression and never had anybody to talk to. I pretty much had to suck it up. To me, that was how life was and the traumas I experienced still affect me to this day. Now, I know it wasn't normal and it wasn't my fault. I have friends I can talk to. This is where TalkingStick comes in. Because of what I went through, I know there are so many people out there who need to talk and want to feel or hear that they are not alone. I wish TalkingStick was around during the time I was growing up, it would have stopped me from the drugs, gangs and self-destruction. It gives me pleasure to know that with TalkingStick others will be saved from themselves.

Violet

TalkingStick has made me feel less alone. I always leave the phone call feeling better.

Group is created by Eric Horner

Group is created by Eric Horner

Group is created by Eric Horner

Group is created by Eric Horner

Group is created by Eric Horner

Group is created by Eric Horner

podcast is uploaded byJatin Kumar

Video is uploaded by Jatin Kumar

Voice is uploaded by Jatin Kumar

Voice is uploaded by Eric Horner

Group is created by Jatin Kumar

Voice is uploaded by Lisa Borsheim

podcast is uploaded byLisa Borsheim

podcast is uploaded byEric Horner

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